Yogyakarta once again became the center of scientific exchange in gastroenterology and hepatology by hosting the 2026 Joint National Congress (KONAS) and Annual Scientific Meeting (PIN) of the Indonesian Liver Research Association (PPHI), the Indonesian Society of Gastroenterology (PGI), and the Indonesian Society for Digestive Endoscopy (ISDE/PB PEGI). Held from 23–26 July 2026 at The Alana Hotel & Convention Center, Yogyakarta, the meeting carried the theme “Challenges and Innovations in Gastroenterohepatology: From Research to Clinical Practice.”

The congress brought together physicians, researchers, academicians, and healthcare stakeholders from across Indonesia to exchange knowledge, strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, and promote innovations aimed at improving the quality of digestive and liver healthcare services nationwide.

The event received strong support from the Special Region of Yogyakarta Government. His Highness K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam X, Vice Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, welcomed the participants and expressed appreciation for Yogyakarta’s selection as the host city. He emphasized that the congress would not only contribute to scientific advancement but also support public health initiatives, particularly in strengthening early detection and prevention of gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

During the health policy session, Prof. Ari Fahrial Syam, MMB, MD, PhD, FACP, FACG President of the Indonesian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG), highlighted the importance of developing a highly competent healthcare workforce He noted that the growing burden of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), colorectal cancer, and the national hepatitis elimination program requires continuous professional development. Through scientific symposia, organizational forums, and the inauguration of new gastroenterohepatology consultants, the congress aims to strengthen Indonesia’s capacity to provide high-quality digestive healthcare aligned with international standards.

Representing the Indonesian Association for the Study of the Liver (Ina-ASL), Andri Sanityoso, MD, PhD, emphasized the importance of collaboration in accelerating hepatitis elimination efforts. He pointed out that chronic liver disease remains a major public health challenge in Indonesia and highlighted the need for evidence-based policies, including improved hepatitis B screening among pregnant women and the adoption of emerging diagnostic technologies such as the PIVKA-II biomarker for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

From the perspective of digestive endoscopy, Achmad Fauzi, MD, PhD, President of the Indonesian Society for Digestive Endoscopy (ISDE), emphasized the growing role of endoscopic innovation in improving patient outcomes. He noted that advances in minimally invasive endoscopic procedures and ablation technologies continue to expand opportunities for the early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

To strengthen practical competencies, ISDE organized several hands-on educational activities, including the Live Demonstration of Microwave Ablation and Simulation-Based Mastery Learning on Polypectomy. These workshops were designed to enhance participants’ technical skills while promoting quality improvement in endoscopic practice, particularly through increasing the Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR), one of the key quality indicators in colorectal cancer screening.

Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Putut Bayupurnama, MD, explained that the scientific program featured more than 20 educational sessions, including symposia, simulation-based workshops, and live demonstrations of interventional procedures. The program was carefully designed to ensure that participants gained practical knowledge that could be directly applied in daily clinical practice.

The congress also welcomed distinguished international faculty members, including Prof. Shuichiro Shiina (Japan), Prof. Kenichi Ikejima (Japan), and Prof. Raja Affendi Raja Ali (Malaysia). Their participation provided valuable insights into current global developments while fostering opportunities for international collaboration in research, education, and clinical practice.

The active involvement of government representatives, professional societies, academic institutions, and healthcare providers highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing gastroenterology and hepatology services. Such partnerships are expected to strengthen healthcare policies, improve public awareness of digestive and liver diseases, and support efforts to reduce the stigma associated with hepatitis.

Beyond serving as a scientific forum, the 2026 Joint National Congress and Annual Scientific Meeting also reinforced the commitment of Indonesia’s leading professional societies to bridge scientific research with clinical implementation. One of the key highlights of the meeting was the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day, held under the global theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down” and the national theme “Expanding Access, Strengthening Collaboration, Achieving Hepatitis Elimination.” The celebration included free health screening and public education activities as part of Indonesia’s ongoing commitment to achieving the national hepatitis elimination targets.

The 2026 Joint National Congress and Annual Scientific Meeting of Ina-ASL, ISG, and ISDE was organized by the Yogyakarta Branch Joint Committee of PPHI, PGI, and ISDE in collaboration with the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta. Through this congress, the three professional societies reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing scientific excellence, fostering innovation, and continuously improving the quality of gastroenterology, hepatology, and digestive endoscopy services for the people of Indonesia.